# What is Tom Sawyer by Rush about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376 "2006-11-22T01:47:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/61 "2006-11-23T02:40:05Z")
[QUOTE=Nothing Special] Can you possibly compare them to Moon & Entwistle? Come on, we’re talking about two musicians (in Moon and Entwistle) who broke musical ground as no one ever had before. Entwistle played the base with all 5 fingers, while Moon played the drums with 11 hands/feet! Bonham and Jones followed Moon and Entwistle, as excellent but ultimately standard thudders. [/QUOTE] We’ll just have to disagree, then. To call Bonham and Jones “standard thudders,” simply astounds me. I think Moon is an over-rated rock drummer, obviously you think the reverse. What can I say? Moon has never played a beat that impressed me. Bonham has. We evidently respond to different things in the music. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/62 "2006-11-23T03:22:48Z")
[QUOTE=Madd Maxx] You are from Canada. you have to like Rush. It think its even a law or something. 😉 [/QUOTE] In high school, one of our teachers was from Canada. A friend of mine (also a fan of Rush) approached him one day - I don’t remember why - and said, “You’re from Canada, so you like Rush, right?” He was fairly terse in replying “I hate Rush.” That was pretty much the end of the discussion. Actually, thinking back, for a Canadian, he was kind of a dick. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/63 "2006-11-23T04:25:59Z")
Comparing bonham and Moon is perhaps a valid comparison. They both had strengths and weaknesses and both were incredible…and somewhat similar in a way. Comparing Peart to Moon and Bonham is silly. They almost play a differant instrument. It’s like trying to compare a rock vocalist to an opera singer, or a jazz guitarist to a blues guitarist. They are speaking a realated, but differant language. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/64 "2006-11-23T04:28:34Z")
as for lyrics: I get chills every time I hear this song. From the pass: > [@](#): > > It’s not as if this barricade > Blocks the only road > It’s not as if you’re all alone > In wanting to explode > > Someone set a bad example > Made surrender seem all right > The act of a noble warrior > Who lost the will to fight > > And now you’re trembling on a rocky ledge > Staring down into a heartless sea > Done with life on a razor’s edge > Nothing’s what you thought it would be > > No hero in your tragedy > No daring in your escape > No salutes for your surrender > Nothing noble in your fate > Christ, what have you done? ---
**Author:** ![Nothing\_Special](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9f8e36/32.png) [@Nothing\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothing_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/65 "2006-11-23T05:29:26Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] We’ll just have to disagree, then. To call Bonham and Jones “standard thudders,” simply astounds me. I think Moon is an over-rated rock drummer, obviously you think the reverse. What can I say? Moon has never played a beat that impressed me. Bonham has. We evidently respond to different things in the music. [/QUOTE] Can you really say Moon never played a beat that impressed you? How about those triplets on Can’t Explain? Absolutely brilliant and unexpected! And this at the age of 18! And what about his performance on I Can See For Miles? Here we have the virtuoso at work. Moon isn’t doing any more than fucking around and he turns it into his own song. How about Won‘t Get Fooled Again? Bonham never did that with any Zeppelin tune. Moon took over the songs; Bonham merely amended them with superior, technical excellence. As I’ve already said, Zeppelin played together, and The Who played against each other. The Who were that great. Zeppelin never could pull that off, and didn’t try to. But they probably got laid a lot more. The Who just ripped the crap out of every song they ever played, originals and covers. I still can’t watch their Isle of Wight performance (1970) all the way through without a break. They were that intense. And that was between 2 and 4 in the morning. On the other hand, I can watch many hours of Zeppelin and eventually fall asleep. Zeppelin tunes inevitably ended in orgasm; Who tunes never stopped. We can agree to disagree, and undoubtedly shall, but don’t give me any more shit about who had the better drummer. Moon played his instrument like Hendrix played his: this is the show, baby, and there’s noooooo getting around it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/66 "2006-11-23T05:49:55Z")
[QUOTE=Nothing Special] Can you really say Moon never played a beat that impressed you? How about those triplets on Can’t Explain? Absolutely brilliant and unexpected! And this at the age of 18! [/quote] Sorry, doesn’t grab me like Bonham. But you can continue this in the other thread in CS I started about rock drummers. Moon overplays for my tastes, but you’ll see I have him ranked at #6 on my rock drummer list. Moon had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. But he played with a manic energy that I appreciate. ---
**Author:** ![Nothing\_Special](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9f8e36/32.png) [@Nothing\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nothing_Special)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/67 "2006-11-23T06:25:38Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Sorry, doesn’t grab me like Bonham. But you can continue this in the other thread in CS I started about rock drummers. Moon overplays for my tastes, but you’ll see I have him ranked at #6 on my rock drummer list. Moon had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. But he played with a manic energy that I appreciate. [/QUOTE] I can deal. The local classic rock station routinely plays 3 Zep songs in a row at this hour, and I have to admit, that Bonham is amazing on “Nobody’s Fault.” But you rank Moon at #6? Who are the other 4 besides Bonham, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/68 "2006-11-23T06:30:16Z")
[QUOTE=Nothing Special] I can deal. The local classic rock station routinely plays 3 Zep songs in a row at this hour, and I have to admit, that Bonham is amazing on “Nobody’s Fault.” But you rank Moon at #6? Who are the other 4 besides Bonham, obviously. [/QUOTE] [Continued here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397363) I think one of Bonham’s most amazing beats is the simple drum beat behind “Kashmir.” Few drummers can make a simple beat like that work that much power. Can you air drum to it? Sure. Can you make it _swing_? I doubt it. But let’s continue the discussion in the other thread. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/69 "2006-11-23T06:35:24Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] [Continued here.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397363) … But let’s continue the discussion in the other thread. [/QUOTE] Yes, please. Let’s continue in this thread on the unwarranted criticism of the quality of Rush’s lyrics. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/70 "2006-11-23T13:04:22Z")
[QUOTE=Hentor the Barbarian] In high school, one of our teachers was from Canada. A friend of mine (also a fan of Rush) approached him one day - I don’t remember why - and said, “You’re from Canada, so you like Rush, right?” He was fairly terse in replying “I hate Rush.” That was pretty much the end of the discussion. Actually, thinking back, for a Canadian, he was kind of a dick. [/QUOTE] Was his name Scott? Scott’s a dick. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/71 "2006-11-23T15:23:13Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] Was his name Scott? Scott’s a dick. [/QUOTE] Actually Jeff is a dick too. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/72 "2006-11-23T16:23:52Z")
See, my husband is probably the only person around who actually picks up on my two jokes above. “Ten bucks is ten bucks, eh” is Geddy Lee from the Bob and Doug Mackenzie song “Take Off (to the Great White North)” and “Scott’s a dick” is from the South Park episode where the boys go to Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/73 "2006-11-23T18:25:11Z")
So, did everyone catch Neil Peart teaching Rick Mercer how to drum a couple weeks back on _The Mercer Report_? Also taught him how to drive a motorcycle, eh. Although Rick had to drive a 50cc Honda cuz he doesn’t have a license. ---
**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/74 "2006-11-23T19:41:14Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] See, my husband is probably the only person around who actually picks up on my two jokes above. “Ten bucks is ten bucks, eh” is Geddy Lee from the Bob and Doug Mackenzie song “Take Off (to the Great White North)” and “Scott’s a dick” is from the South Park episode where the boys go to Canada. [/QUOTE] I caught the “Ten bucks is Ten bucks, eh” ref. Bob and Doug MacKenzie were my introduction to Canadian culture. I taped the album from my friends LP onto my Dad’s 4track reel to reel in the early 80s. Later the Movie ‘Strange Brew’ came out, and nailed shut the coffin on Max Von Sydow’s career. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/75 "2006-11-23T22:46:14Z")
[QUOTE=Barbarian] So, did everyone catch Neil Peart teaching Rick Mercer how to drum a couple weeks back on _The Mercer Report_? Also taught him how to drive a motorcycle, eh. Although Rick had to drive a 50cc Honda cuz he doesn’t have a license. [/QUOTE] Here it is. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/76 "2006-11-23T23:44:11Z")
Thanks. Phase42. I miss CBC. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/77 "2006-11-23T23:45:33Z")
Mostly relevant aside - [this is my husband, just being himself at home.](http://media.putfile.com/SWShello) (Yes, that is a Moosehead beer he’s drinking there.) ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/78 "2006-11-23T23:46:02Z")
That stilted post brought to you by the toddler to my left holding my attention. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/79 "2006-11-23T23:47:39Z")
Dang it, I came in here for a reason - I posted a poll in IMHO regarding [a possible gender preference for Rush.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=397450) ---
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2006, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376/80 "2006-11-24T02:06:14Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] This is probably an exceptionally stupid question, but I’m going to ask it anyway. **Rush** aren’t exactly known as lyrical masters, and Getty Lee really can’t sing, and I know that they’re more of a guitar based band, but… What on earth is _Tom Sawyer_ about? Can it really be as nonsensical as it seems? A friend suggested that it was the product of a drug induced haze, but I countered that pretty much every song by **Pink Floyd** is the product of a drug induced haze and they don’t have the same problem. As to if _Tom Sawyer_ seems less absurd while _IN_ a drug induced haze…uh, no it doesn’t. Don’t ask me how I know that. [/QUOTE] Well the question isn’t exceptionally stupid, but your observations regarding Rush _are_ exceptionally stupid. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-tom-sawyer-by-rush-about/381376.md?page=5)